First of all, remember that the internet is a bulletin board, not an encyclopedia! The documentation of Reuben and his family is extensive and very well sourced. I have been working on this for over 25 years, and there is a wonderful gentleman, Abb Lynn Gunn, who is the North American Genealogist for the Clan Gunn (Scottish heritage organization.) His records span 500 years and several continents. You can obtain copies of Rev. War records and Abisha's service record from the War of 1812 at the Tennessee Archives and Library in Nashville, or from the National Archives in Washington, DC. The good news is, this line is spectacularly well documented and researched! The genealogy and Revolutionary War service of Reuben Gunn is very well documented. Descendants of almost all of his children are in DAR and SAR. For example, the papers of Mrs. Alena Chance Jablonsky are DAR #499025, and I am the first from the line of his son Lawson Gunn to have my line verified by the DAR (January 2006), membership # #840322. You can go online to the DAR http://www.dar.org/natsociety/pi_lookup.cfm. You can request a "Patriot lookup" for Reuben, and ask if any of the lines go through Abisha (I'm pretty sure they do..) Write for the papers, and they will include not just the genealogy, but the sources of information that were solid enough to be accepted by the DAR. Reuben Gunn most definitely served the Colonial Army during the Revolution, and was paid 6 pounds, 1 shilling and 4 pence by Mebane & Nichols for service to North Carolina. The original paper is on microfilm at the Tennessee Archives & Library in Nashville. A man of some mark, he is found buying and selling land near Spartanburg, SC around the mouth of the Enoree River, where he owned both a grist and saw mill. He often witnessed important documents for others, for example, a deed of Conveyance dated 19 January 1789 shows him witnessing a purchase of "96 acres" for 35 pounds sterling, for land purchased by John Haven. In 1795, he is selling land in Greenville, SC, with "Mary, wife of aforesaid Reuben" also signing the document. The family was in Tennessee by 1800, although they retained their South Carolina land. Page 256 of the "Dickson County Handbook" says, "In 1800-1804, those who settled along the stream were Lawson and Elisha Gunn, Morgan Hood, Abraham Hogan, Thomas Petty,..." Not mentioned in that account is older brother James, who apparently also arrived quite early. His son Alexander was born in Tennessee in 1810. It is most likely the boys came with Reuben, based on ages of the children. In the years 1800 to 1804, Elisha would have been between the ages of 13 and 17, Lawson between 9 and 13. If James had come with them, he would have been 17-21. It is highly likely that they arrived with their father, who (like James) simply doesn't appear in the "Dickson County Handbook." Older brother Abisha is in Tennessee in time to fight in the War of 1812, with his brothers in Captain Drury Adkin's Company of Col. Richard Napier's Regiment. Pvt. Abijah GUNN. Elisha GUNN is listed as Ensign. Dickson County TN Handbook p. 187. Abisha married Betsy Beard in about 1807. He moved to Alabama, and is listed in 1840 Census for Washington Co., AL; p 271; Roll 16. Abb Lynn Gunn will have more on his line (I have focused on the descendants of his brother, Lawson.) This Gunn family is an integral part of Dickson County, TN history. Reuben's son Lawson served on the first "grand jury" of the Dickson County Circuit Court for which a record can be found. It was held in the court house at Charlotte, beginning on the second Monday of June, 1839, over which Judge Martin presided. It was composed of the following gentlemen: Willie Bothrop, John S. Spencer, William Willey, David Frazier, William White, Jesse Graham, Elisha Lloyd, James Loggins, Lawson Gunn, Thomas McMurry, Josiah Ferrill and Berryman S. Walker, of which Willie Bothrop was chosen foreman. (Source: Goodspeed's History of Dickson Co TN published 1886). Lawson's son Andrew Jackson Gunn (my great-grandfather) and several of this brothers served the Confederacy from Dickson County during the Civil War. Reuben GUNN is listed in Pioneers of Dickson County, Tennessee by Carol WELLS. In July 1813, Reuben GUNN, Elisha GUNN and others were ordered to mark out a road from the road leading to Hickman near the widow BUGGS the best way towards the mouth of Swan on Duck River that is to intersect a road marked out by Hickman County. He apparently owned land in both Dickson and Hickman, perhaps straddling the line. By the early 1800's, Reuben is actively accumulating land in Tennessee with grants and deeds dated August 15, 1807, 1808, and later. Nonetheless, he seems to have held on to his SC land, because in 1813, sells land in the Spartanburg District , including "the plantation where in Reuben Gunn now lives." In Hickman Co., TN on December 24t, 1823, he sold "one Negro Girl by the name of Charlotte" for $300. According to the Benjamin Gunn book (which is remarkably accurate,) Mary Goforth Gunn died in Dickson County, and after her death Reuben married Nancy Jones. (Possibly one of the graves with illegible stones which was found in Dickson County.) He further claims that Reuben died in 1822. (Benjamin J. Gunn, A Complete Family Record: Descendants of Reuben Gunn, p. 13). There is a recording of the sale of a slave by Reuben in 1823, however the sale may have been earlier and simply recorded then. Reuben and Mary Gunn had eight children; seven boys and one girl. Their sixth child, also their sixth son, was Lawson (my direct ancestor). Lawson was born June 17, 1791, in South Carolina, but spent most of his life in Tennessee. Through the buying and selling of land, we can trace Reuben's movements, as he gradually accumulated land in SC, and sold it to center his holdings in TN: Jan 19, 1789 - Deed of Conveyance John Haven of Greenville to William Brown of same, witnessed by R. Gunn Book QQQQ, page 35, "Some South Carolina County Records, Vol 2", by The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr. March 11, 1795 - Spartanburg County, SC, Deeds, Book F, Page 32. From: Thomas Kivil To: Reuben Gunn Description: 180 acres for 42 (pounds) 10s sterling. "Thomas Kivil (Spartanburg) to Reubin Gunn (same); for 42 (pounds) 10s sterling sold 180 acres on Enoree River including mouth of Abner's Creek; border: Stephel (sic) Cantrel; part of 500 acres survey Feb. 27, 1775 by James Wofford and granted to Thomas Sitton, esq. who sold to Col. Richard Hampton who sold to Stephen Cantrell who sold 350 acres to Thomas Kivil. Witness oath Jun. 27, 1795 Edward Dial to Zodock Ford. Recorded Jan. 16, 1798." From Spartanburg County,/District South Carolina Deed Abstracts, Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt (Southern Historical Press, Inc.: Easley, SC, 1988), p. 141. December 17, 1797 -- Spartanburg County SC, Deeds, Book F, Page 244. From: John Jones To: Reuben Gunn Description: 100 acres of land for 64 (pounds) in trade "Dec. 17, 1797 John Jones (Greenville Co.) to Reubin Gunn (Spartanburg): for 64 (pounds) in trade sold 100 acres on Enoree River including land where Curtis Moore now lives; border: conditional corner between Thomas Keville and Stephen Cantrell and Little Rocky Creek; part of 500 acre grant to Thomas Scotts Esq and sold by Richard Hampton to Stephen Cantrell who sold to John Jones; plot attached dated Feb. 27, 1775. Witness Curtis Moore, William Jones, and Saml Jones. Signed John Jones. Witness oath Jun. 2, 1798 William Jones to Zadock Ford. Recorded Jan. 20, 1799." From Spartanburg County,/District South Carolina Deed Abstracts, Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt (Southern Historical Press, Inc.: Easley, SC, 1988), p. 160. 1800 Census of South Carolina - Reuben Gunn, Spartanburg 190 June 10, 1801 -- Spartanburg County, SC, Deed, Book L, Page 381. From: Reuben Gunn To: Thomas Cowden Description: 100 acres of land for 64 (pounds) "Jun. 10, 1801 Reuben Gunn (Spartanburg) to Thomas Cowden (same); for 64 (pounds) sold 100 acres on North side of Enoree River; border: Thomas Kevil, Stephen Cantrel, and Little Rock Creek; where Thomas Cowden lives; part of 500 acre grant Feb 27, 1775 to Thomas Scott esq and sold by Richard Hampton to Stephen Cantrell who sold to John Jones who sold to Reuben Gunn. Witness Charles Gunn and William Miller. Signed Reuben Gunn. Witness oath Jun. 10, 1801 William Miller to James Kilgore. Recorded (not given). Dower renounced Mary Gunn to James Kilgore Jun 10. 1801." (Note: The Mary Gunn mentioned in the deed is Mary Goforth Gunn, Reuben's wife). From Spartanburg County,/District South Carolina Deed Abstracts, Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt (Southern Historical Press, Inc.: Easley, SC, 1988), p. 382. October 30, 1807 October 30, 1807 -- Spartanburg County, SC, Deeds, Book O, Pages 45-47. From: Reuben Gunn To: Henry Brockman and Theophelus Cannon Description: 35 acres of land for $600 "Oct. 30, 1807 Reuben Gunn (Spartanburg) to Henry Brockmand and Theophelus Cannon (Greenville District and Spartanburg); for $600 sold 35 acres including Griss and Saw mill machines; on North side of Enoree River; border: 'ridge of Proctor,' Kevil, Tyrce Glen, and Abner's Creek; 'part of border made by deed' Aug 5, 1801 Pennel Wood jr to Reuben Gunn; part of 500 acre grant to Thomas Scott esq and survey Feb. 27, 1775 by James Wofford and sold to Richard Hampton who sold to Stephen Cantrell who sold to Thos Kevil who sold May 11, 1795 to Reuben Gunn. Witness oath Aug. 15, 1809 James Hammett to Tryce Glenn. Recorded Dec. 6, 1813. Dower renounced Oct. 31, 1807 Mary Gunn to James Kilgore." From Spartanburg County,/District South Carolina Deed Abstracts, Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt (Southern Historical Press, Inc.: Easley, SC, 1988), pp. 484-485. October 30, 1807 -- Spartanburg County, SC, Deeds, Book O, Pages 48-50. From: Reuben Gunn To: Theophelus Cannon Description: 150 acres of land for $400 "Oct. 30, 1807 Beuben Gunn (Spartanburg) to Theophelus Cannon (same); for $400 sold 150 acres; where Reuben Gunn lives; border: Thomas Cowder, Hammet, Tyrce Glenn, Theophelus Cannon, and Henry Brockman; part of 500 acre grant to Thos Scotts esq. with survey Feb. 27, 1775 by James Wofford, and sold to Richard Hampton who sold to Stephen Cantrell who sold to Thomas Kevil who sold May 11, 1795 to Reuben Gunn. Witness James Hammett and Charles Gunn. Signed Reuben Gunn. Witness oath Aug. 15, 1809 James Hammett to Tyrce Glenn. Recorded Dec. 6, 1813. From Spartanburg County,/District South Carolina Deed Abstracts, Books A-T 1785-1827 (1752-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt (Southern Historical Press, Inc.: Easley, SC, 1988), p. 485. The sale of these tracts eliminated most but not all of Reuben's SC holdings. February 15th, 1808, grant from State of Tennessee to Reuben Gunn, assignee of said John Gray Blount and Thomas Blount. "by virtue of part of Certificate No. 250, dated the 15th day of August, 1807, obtained from the board of commissioners for West Tennessee by John Gray Blount and Thomas Blount and entered on the 15th day of February 1808." eighty-three acres, lying in Hickman County in the first District on the East fork of the Pine River." from microfilm, Tennessee Archives, #720 On June 27, 1809, Reuben Gunn witnessed the signing of the will of John Bugg. From Dickson County Handbook by Jill Knight Garrett, Southern Historical Press, Inc., Easly, South Carolina, 1984, p. 53. December 8, 1813 - from Reubin Gunn of Spartanburg District South Carolina to Theophelus Cannon. for the sum of $400 "the plantation where Reubin Gunn now lives." November 4, 1822 - From Reubin Gunn to Willie Sanders, for Three Hundred Dollars, "one negro girl by the name of Charlotte". .. I set my hand this fourth day of November, 1922." Registered December 24th, 1823 From Hickman County, Deed book F., page 77 Notes by Edith Gunn Kronauge include a handwritten transcription: "Hickman Co., TN Court Records 1814-1829, Page 126 12-31-c1824 To: Ruben Gunn - bill of sale from Edward Nunelle in the amount of $400 for a negro boy slaved named Unum. 17 years of age." NOW -- TO THE ISSUE OF BENJAMIN GUNN'S BOOK AND THE "QUESTIONS" RAISED For years, people have questioned the notion that a man named "Gunn" which is purely Scottish, could have come from Germany. The name Gunn comes from the Norse Gunni, and the Gunns were the Norse Earls of Orkney -- islands off the northern coast of Scotland (near Skye.) If you ever have the chance to visit, please do so. Gunns from all over the world gather there every three years, and there is a wondeful Gunn cultural center in Thurso, just across the channel on the mainland of Scotland. http://www.clangunn.us/ But YES! There is a German link, and it is entirely possible that Reuben was descended from a German with a title. Now -- as nearly as I can determine, and if I'm wrong on his Abb will correct me -- the only error in Benjamin's book is the particular title of Reuben's ancestor. He wouldn't have been the son of a grand duke -- that would have put him line for the throne. It was lesser titled nobility. Initially, the entire idea of titled nobility in Germany with this Scottish name was dismissed. Later, research found Sir William Gunn, who left Scotland for Germany (following the Jacobean War) during the right time period to be an ancestor of Reuben. William Gunn married into German nobility, and was later awarded a title. Although no heirs of Sir William Gunn have yet been proven, the link between the Scottish Gunns and the German title has been made. It is also possible that Sir William Gunn as an uncle, rather than father, because no male issue of Sir William Gunn of Germany has been proven, although research is ongoing in America, Germany, and Scotland. Through participation in the GUNN DNA project, descendants of Reuben Gunn in America were conclusively proven to be related to Sir William Gunn's line, and are genetically linked back to the earliest Scotish Gunns, including The Crowner. I strongly urge you to contact Abb Lynn Gunn, and to ignore "speculation" on the web. There is much, much information that has been carefully researched about the Reuben line. Abb is copied with the email. This is probably more than you wanted to know, but I have put years of work into this and try to put "speculation and guesswork" to rest by sharing documented information. The more people who have documented information, with real sources, the better! Feel free to contact me off-list at ljanem@aol.com. I can send copies of some of the old land grants, etc. by mail. Your cousin, Jane Mitakides -----Original Message----- From: tndickso-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:tndickso-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of gc-gateway@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 9:01 PM To: TNDICKSO-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [TNDICKSO] Reuben GUNN This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: raysal_1 Surnames: GUNN Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.tennessee.counties. dickson/238.4.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: My son is a descendant of Reuben Gunn through his son Abisha. Another lady and I just started looking for official documentation on Abisha and Reuben. Was Reuben a Rev. War Soldier? We cannot locate any evidence to that effect --- We were told that Abisha served in the War of 1812 and are not able to locate official documentation to validate that either. It's O.K. if neither man was a soldier [The DAR is not our goal.] We just want to collect the truth and have as many copies of cited sources to prove the "truth" as is possible. Today, I ordered the book by Benjamin Jesse Gunn [pub 1891] and have seen info online since I placed the order that questions its accuracy. What is the single BEST source for analytical - crisp - accurate information [as is possible in genealogy] for Reuben and Abisha Gunn? Thank you, Sally in Alabama Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TNDICKSO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message